2023 NBA Draft (tonight's discussion on pg 58)

[Brandon-Clyde]

Miami also owes OKC a future first ( lottery protected until 2025 then unprotected) so it will be difficult for them to trade draft picks.

[The Sebastian Express]

WAtching this game, I just can't stomach the idea of trading three for Brown. Tatum gets injured in the first thirty seconds, this is a great opportunity for Brown to show his stuff and he just.. oof. It isn't looking good.

[Butter]

Bam however is Miami's only big and its unlikely they can afford to move him.

More likely for matching salaries, they'd offer Herro or perhaps the expiring contract of Kyle Lowry.

Lowry might be a useful mentor for Scoot if he's the Blazers pick

We can send them Nurk...just trying to be helpful

[DusterBuster]

Bam however is Miami's only big and its unlikely they can afford to move him.

More likely for matching salaries, they'd offer Herro or perhaps the expiring contract of Kyle Lowry.

Lowry might be a useful mentor for Scoot if he's the Blazers pick

We can send them Nurk...just trying to be helpful

I don’t get why people **** on Nurk so hard. He’s literally like in the 90s as far as highest paid players. IIRC, he’s also like somewhere in the 30-20 highest paid centers. His play and stats are easily in the top 20 of the starting Cs in the league, so he’s at worst fairly paid for a starting quality C. I feel like the league has changed from a talent and salary standpoint and a lot of fans (myself included), struggle to keep up with that. Nurk is simply not a bad contract, and with the new CBA, his deal is going to look more and more valuable.

[Butter]

Bam however is Miami's only big and its unlikely they can afford to move him.

More likely for matching salaries, they'd offer Herro or perhaps the expiring contract of Kyle Lowry.

Lowry might be a useful mentor for Scoot if he's the Blazers pick

We can send them Nurk...just trying to be helpful

I don’t get why people **** on Nurk so hard. He’s literally like in the 90s as far as highest paid players. IIRC, he’s also like somewhere in the 30-20 highest paid centers. His play and stats are easily in the top 20 of the starting Cs in the league, so he’s at worst fairly paid for a starting quality C. I feel like the league has changed from a talent and salary standpoint and a lot of fans (myself included), struggle to keep up with that. Nurk is simply not a bad contract, and with the new CBA, his deal is going to look more and more valuable.

I'm not anti-Nurk, I'm pro upgrade. If there is a chance to upgrade the 5 spot, it's likely going to take Nurka salary to trade for a vet.

[Pattycakes]

Nurk lost his fire after his bad leg injury.. yeah I said it.

[BlazersBroncos]

Simple offseason -

Draft Scoot #3
Trade Simons, 23 for DDR, FRP returned
Resign MT, Drew

G - Damian Lillard (35) / Scoot Henderson (13)
G - Shadeon Sharpe (28) / Scoot Henderson (13) / Matisse Thybulle (5)
F - Demar DeRozan (16) / Nas Little (18) / Matisse Thybulle (14)
F - Jerami Grant (34) / Demar Derozan (14)
C - Jusuf Nurkic (26) / Drew Eubanks (22)

Get a mild cost win now guy in DDR - dont mortgage the future and still take BPA in Scoot - simple.

[Norm2953]

The thing is though, drafting Scoot is going to lead to a Dame trade, which means the pick owed to Chicago is irrelevant, since there is no need for a win now trade.

[The Sebastian Express]

Blazers brought in the Thompson twins today, both Amen and Ausar. Interested to see if we get any reports coming out about the quality.

Dame was at the workout. I do think him attending these workouts is a good sign. I think it maybe signals if there is an incredible workout of a prospect and he knows the offers are not of value for that spot, maybe he'll understand and be okay with staying.

[mighty_duck]

Blazers brought in the Thompson twins today, both Amen and Ausar. Interested to see if we get any reports coming out about the quality.

Dame was at the workout. I do think him attending these workouts is a good sign. I think it maybe signals if there is an incredible workout of a prospect and he knows the offers are not of value for that spot, maybe he'll understand and be okay with staying.

If we were at #4, then Amen would be an interesting choice to slot next to Simons as our Backcourt Of The Future. Amen is big, can guard 1-3 easily (probably even 1-4), and has good court vision.
however, all reports say there is a sizeable talent disparity between Scoot/Miller and everyone below them.

[The Sebastian Express]

Blazers brought in the Thompson twins today, both Amen and Ausar. Interested to see if we get any reports coming out about the quality.

Dame was at the workout. I do think him attending these workouts is a good sign. I think it maybe signals if there is an incredible workout of a prospect and he knows the offers are not of value for that spot, maybe he'll understand and be okay with staying.

If we were at #4, then Amen would be an interesting choice to slot next to Simons as our Backcourt Of The Future. Amen is big, can guard 1-3 easily (probably even 1-4), and has good court vision.
however, all reports say there is a sizeable talent disparity between Scoot/Miller and everyone below them.

Oh I definitely agree. I think they brought them in for due diligence of course, in the event there is a trade back or if they think they might be better than Miller longterm. I definitely don't think you draft either over Scoot.

There were some reports Amen had improved his shot mechanics, but the video I watched it still looks wonky. Also obviously the competition level they were playing against - not ideal.

[Tim Lehrbach]

Simple offseason -

Draft Scoot #3
Trade Simons, 23 for DDR, FRP returned
Resign MT, Drew

G - Damian Lillard (35) / Scoot Henderson (13)
G - Shadeon Sharpe (28) / Scoot Henderson (13) / Matisse Thybulle (5)
F - Demar DeRozan (16) / Nas Little (18) / Matisse Thybulle (14)
F - Jerami Grant (34) / Demar Derozan (14)
C - Jusuf Nurkic (26) / Drew Eubanks (22)

Get a mild cost win now guy in DDR - dont mortgage the future and still take BPA in Scoot - simple.

I like the premise -- draft with #3, use Simons and #23 for an upgrade -- and the major acquisition in DeRozan. Two big questions, though. First, will Scoot be there at #3? I doubt it, and from your other posts I think maybe you doubt it too. Second, how much money is Grant signing for? It may or may not be worth it. If you subtract Grant, and Scoot is Miller instead, the resulting roster holds less promise. On the other hand, if Grant is retained, DeRozan is almost certainly a goner after one year, which leaves the Blazers desperate for a quality wing once again.

Again, in general I like the direction, but as much of a win-now (and win-later... win always!) guy as I am, I acknowledge that there are downstream consequences to moves and am starting to admit the Blazers had better think two or three steps ahead instead of simply trying to load up the roster as much as possible for next year. In light of this, and to repeat the concerns, they are that Miller (or a Thompson, etc.) may be far less of a coup than Scoot both for the near- and long-term, and that retaining Grant may simply not be economical, and keeping him or not keeping him likely means a big hole at forward sooner than later.

Am I talking myself out of keeping Grant? I might be. Time to explore other options... *finds other options bleak* ...oh.

[DusterBuster]

Simple offseason -

Draft Scoot #3
Trade Simons, 23 for DDR, FRP returned
Resign MT, Drew

G - Damian Lillard (35) / Scoot Henderson (13)
G - Shadeon Sharpe (28) / Scoot Henderson (13) / Matisse Thybulle (5)
F - Demar DeRozan (16) / Nas Little (18) / Matisse Thybulle (14)
F - Jerami Grant (34) / Demar Derozan (14)
C - Jusuf Nurkic (26) / Drew Eubanks (22)

Get a mild cost win now guy in DDR - dont mortgage the future and still take BPA in Scoot - simple.

I like the premise -- draft with #3, use Simons and #23 for an upgrade -- and the major acquisition in DeRozan. Two big questions, though. First, will Scoot be there at #3? I doubt it, and from your other posts I think maybe you doubt it too. Second, how much money is Grant signing for? It may or may not be worth it. If you subtract Grant, and Scoot is Miller instead, the resulting roster holds less promise. On the other hand, if Grant is retained, DeRozan is almost certainly a goner after one year, which leaves the Blazers desperate for a quality wing once again.

Again, in general I like the direction, but as much of a win-now (and win-later... win always!) guy as I am, I acknowledge that there are downstream consequences to moves and am starting to admit the Blazers had better think two or three steps ahead instead of simply trying to load up the roster as much as possible for next year. In light of this, and to repeat the concerns, they are that Miller (or a Thompson, etc.) may be far less of a coup than Scoot both for the near- and long-term, and that retaining Grant may simply not be economical, and keeping him or not keeping him likely means a big hole at forward sooner than later.

Am I talking myself out of keeping Grant? I might be. Time to explore other options... *finds other options bleak* ...oh.

Yeah, I like this plan a lot too. Probably the best if you’re trying to run two timelines.

I think DeRozen is an underrated player and he’s a winning player who would fit great with Dame and is the same age as Dame. I wouldn’t give up the 3 for him, but Simons and the 23, sure thing.

[BlazersBroncos]

Simple offseason -

Draft Scoot #3
Trade Simons, 23 for DDR, FRP returned
Resign MT, Drew

G - Damian Lillard (35) / Scoot Henderson (13)
G - Shadeon Sharpe (28) / Scoot Henderson (13) / Matisse Thybulle (5)
F - Demar DeRozan (16) / Nas Little (18) / Matisse Thybulle (14)
F - Jerami Grant (34) / Demar Derozan (14)
C - Jusuf Nurkic (26) / Drew Eubanks (22)

Get a mild cost win now guy in DDR - dont mortgage the future and still take BPA in Scoot - simple.

I like the premise -- draft with #3, use Simons and #23 for an upgrade -- and the major acquisition in DeRozan. Two big questions, though. First, will Scoot be there at #3? I doubt it, and from your other posts I think maybe you doubt it too. Second, how much money is Grant signing for? It may or may not be worth it. If you subtract Grant, and Scoot is Miller instead, the resulting roster holds less promise. On the other hand, if Grant is retained, DeRozan is almost certainly a goner after one year, which leaves the Blazers desperate for a quality wing once again.

Again, in general I like the direction, but as much of a win-now (and win-later... win always!) guy as I am, I acknowledge that there are downstream consequences to moves and am starting to admit the Blazers had better think two or three steps ahead instead of simply trying to load up the roster as much as possible for next year. In light of this, and to repeat the concerns, they are that Miller (or a Thompson, etc.) may be far less of a coup than Scoot both for the near- and long-term, and that retaining Grant may simply not be economical, and keeping him or not keeping him likely means a big hole at forward sooner than later.

Am I talking myself out of keeping Grant? I might be. Time to explore other options... *finds other options bleak* ...oh.

Yeah, I like this plan a lot too. Probably the best if you’re trying to run two timelines.

I think DeRozen is an underrated player and he’s a winning player who would fit great with Dame and is the same age as Dame. I wouldn’t give up the 3 for him, but Simons and the 23, sure thing.

I also actually like his contract situation - at his age I strongly believe he would be resignable for something in the 22M range.

If Scoot goes 2, the above plan still works w/ Miller IMO it just leaves Little the 'odd man out' -

G - Damian Lillard (35) / Scoot Henderson (13)
G - Shadeon Sharpe (28) / Matisse Thybulle (20)
F - Demar DeRozan (16) / Brandon Miller (24) / Nas Little (8)
F - Jerami Grant (34) / Demar Derozan (14)
C - Jusuf Nurkic (26) / Drew Eubanks (22)

Or, if we dislike the interviews w/ Miller maybe swing Nurkic + 3 for Turner + 7.

G - Damian Lillard (35) / Scoot Henderson (13)
G - Shadeon Sharpe (28) / Matisse Thybulle (20)
F - Demar DeRozan (28) / Nas Little (20)
F - Jerami Grant (34) / Jarace Walker (14)
C - Myles Turner (30) / Drew Eubanks (18)

[Tim Lehrbach]

Spoiler:

I like the premise -- draft with #3, use Simons and #23 for an upgrade -- and the major acquisition in DeRozan. Two big questions, though. First, will Scoot be there at #3? I doubt it, and from your other posts I think maybe you doubt it too. Second, how much money is Grant signing for? It may or may not be worth it. If you subtract Grant, and Scoot is Miller instead, the resulting roster holds less promise. On the other hand, if Grant is retained, DeRozan is almost certainly a goner after one year, which leaves the Blazers desperate for a quality wing once again.

Again, in general I like the direction, but as much of a win-now (and win-later... win always!) guy as I am, I acknowledge that there are downstream consequences to moves and am starting to admit the Blazers had better think two or three steps ahead instead of simply trying to load up the roster as much as possible for next year. In light of this, and to repeat the concerns, they are that Miller (or a Thompson, etc.) may be far less of a coup than Scoot both for the near- and long-term, and that retaining Grant may simply not be economical, and keeping him or not keeping him likely means a big hole at forward sooner than later.

Am I talking myself out of keeping Grant? I might be. Time to explore other options... *finds other options bleak* ...oh.

Yeah, I like this plan a lot too. Probably the best if you’re trying to run two timelines.

I think DeRozen is an underrated player and he’s a winning player who would fit great with Dame and is the same age as Dame. I wouldn’t give up the 3 for him, but Simons and the 23, sure thing.

I also actually like his contract situation - at his age I strongly believe he would be resignable for something in the 22M range.

If Scoot goes 2, the above plan still works w/ Miller IMO it just leaves Little the 'odd man out' -

G - Damian Lillard (35) / Scoot Henderson (13)
G - Shadeon Sharpe (28) / Matisse Thybulle (20)
F - Demar DeRozan (16) / Brandon Miller (24) / Nas Little (8)
F - Jerami Grant (34) / Demar Derozan (14)
C - Jusuf Nurkic (26) / Drew Eubanks (22)

Or, if we dislike the interviews w/ Miller maybe swing Nurkic + 3 for Turner + 7.

G - Damian Lillard (35) / Scoot Henderson (13)
G - Shadeon Sharpe (28) / Matisse Thybulle (20)
F - Demar DeRozan (28) / Nas Little (20)
F - Jerami Grant (34) / Jarace Walker (14)
C - Myles Turner (30) / Drew Eubanks (18)

You've still got Scoot at backup point guard, but I appreciate the revisions. Any ideas of a Little for backup PG trade that could work? And, how much do you/others see Grant getting this summer? The numbers I've seen bandied about seem questionable for a player who proved far less of a difference maker than hoped. I know we're all damaged from years of watching bad forwards suit up in Portland, but is he potentially replaceable by a bargain bin player?

[BlazersBroncos]

Spoiler:

Yeah, I like this plan a lot too. Probably the best if you’re trying to run two timelines.

I think DeRozen is an underrated player and he’s a winning player who would fit great with Dame and is the same age as Dame. I wouldn’t give up the 3 for him, but Simons and the 23, sure thing.

I also actually like his contract situation - at his age I strongly believe he would be resignable for something in the 22M range.

If Scoot goes 2, the above plan still works w/ Miller IMO it just leaves Little the 'odd man out' -

G - Damian Lillard (35) / Scoot Henderson (13)
G - Shadeon Sharpe (28) / Matisse Thybulle (20)
F - Demar DeRozan (16) / Brandon Miller (24) / Nas Little (8)
F - Jerami Grant (34) / Demar Derozan (14)
C - Jusuf Nurkic (26) / Drew Eubanks (22)

Or, if we dislike the interviews w/ Miller maybe swing Nurkic + 3 for Turner + 7.

G - Damian Lillard (35) / Scoot Henderson (13)
G - Shadeon Sharpe (28) / Matisse Thybulle (20)
F - Demar DeRozan (28) / Nas Little (20)
F - Jerami Grant (34) / Jarace Walker (14)
C - Myles Turner (30) / Drew Eubanks (18)

You've still got Scoot at backup point guard, but I appreciate the revisions. Any ideas of a Little for backup PG trade that could work? And, how much do you/others see Grant getting this summer? The numbers I've seen bandied about seem questionable for a player who proved far less of a difference maker than hoped. I know we're all damaged from years of watching bad forwards suit up in Portland, but is he potentially replaceable by a bargain bin player?

I think he is back regardless if Dame is here. As for bargain bin, if we let Grant walk your looking at Taurean Prince level guys (Who actually fits in our GP3 TPE). The MLE level SF crop is horrible - Torrey Craig might be one of the best, which says alot.

We are pretty handcuffed and should just accept that Grant is going to be the next Tobias Harris - good player far overpaid due to positional scarcity and a lack of alternate options.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

If Scoot goes 2, the above plan still works w/ Miller IMO it just leaves Little the 'odd man out' -

G - Damian Lillard (35) / Scoot Henderson (13)
G - Shadeon Sharpe (28) / Matisse Thybulle (20)
F - Demar DeRozan (16) / Brandon Miller (24) / Nas Little (8)
F - Jerami Grant (34) / Demar Derozan (14)
C - Jusuf Nurkic (26) / Drew Eubanks (22)

Or, if we dislike the interviews w/ Miller maybe swing Nurkic + 3 for Turner + 7.

G - Damian Lillard (35) / Scoot Henderson (13)
G - Shadeon Sharpe (28) / Matisse Thybulle (20)
F - Demar DeRozan (28) / Nas Little (20)
F - Jerami Grant (34) / Jarace Walker (14)
C - Myles Turner (30) / Drew Eubanks (18)

I think you probably have to remove Scoot from this plan

And I still worry about Grant+Turner as a front-court. That is going to be like ~45-50 million for 12 whole rebounds between the two of them.

[Jsun947]

I’m just gonna come out and say it… Miller is a mediocre prospect and I hope we don’t draft him. He screams middle of the pack starter floor and very low end all star ceiling.

I really hope we don’t draft him.

[Goldbum]

I love how Miller's size and rebounding + shooting+passing make him a fantastic fit into our small forward spot next to Grant.
I wonder if Ant+Nurkic+23+assets could land a guy like KAT in a 3 tram deal. Portland would still have the TPE,MLE and 2nds to fill out the bench. Walker+Keon+2nds for Isiah Stewart is a start.
Dame
Sharpe/Thybulle
Miller
Grant
KAT/Stewart
I think Stewart could both backup and play next to Kat.
I would bring back Mayes and look for another PG. Thybulle is a decent backup swing man. I would look to keep 1 of Walker/Watford/Knox and 1 of Nas/Reddish. Miller can plays sime 4 alongside Thybulle too. If they believe in Badji and Butler they keep them as 13th and 14th men.

[PDXKnight]

I’m just gonna come out and say it… Miller is a mediocre prospect and I hope we don’t draft him. He screams middle of the pack starter floor and very low end all star ceiling.

I really hope we don’t draft him.

Amen could be a good nab but if Scoot is there we almost have to grab him